To walk long distances on a daily basis is thought-provoking and often quite an interior process. As the miles pass by underfoot, the mind occupies itself in any number of ways and has time to consider rare topics.

As an example, I’d been thinking a bit about Aretha Franklin and the incredible impact that she’d made over seven decades as a performer, activist and icon.

So, it was all the more appropriate that last night’s wonderful communal meal and meditation in a Dutch confraternity albergue in Villamayor de Monjardin concluded with Aretha’s gospel version of “You’ll Never Walk Alone“.

I’m choosing to walk alone at my own pace, having five or ten-minute chats with new people when I catch up to them, or vice versa, or with friends made on earlier days, at rest stops or at the albergue of choice later that day.

It’s a perfect mix of continuous re-engagement with fellow travellers as we stride at our own speed, choosing when to speak and when to remain silent.

Yesterday morning’s first stretch from Villatuerta through Estella to the red wine fountain at Irache saw a happy reunion with Leonard of Malta, who I last saw on our first night at St-Jean-Pied-de-Port.

He had been thinking of concluding his Camino, until his son surprised him by arriving the previous night to join him, giving him new vigour to continue.

The half-hour spent with these two was very sweet, but there came a time when it felt appropriate to peel away and let them walk together, alone.

The red wine fountain at Irache was another welcome boost, although I’d reached it a little too early in the day to enjoy too much of the generosity of the local monks!

Instead, I filled my hip flask and let the contents settle in there, to be enjoyed later in the day.

It was another scorching day, so my plan was to stop around midday at Villamayor, as the next stop was 12km further on and too far to consider in the current temperatures.

By then, I’d realised I’d made my first big error by leaving my phone charger behind in Villatuerta, so I had become a little distracted by that.

Then, I allowed myself to get annoyed by a French quartet who barged into the queue at the albergue.

They subsequently hogged the showers, the washing machine and the centrifuge, much to the silent chagrin of all those behind them.

There was a short interval where these twin irritations threatened to pollute my equilibrium and cheerfulness.

But the kindness of Paulinha from Brazil (who charged my phone), the generosity of Bob and Kevin from the US (who bought red wine for everyone), and the engaging company of Melina and Lea from Germany, Woiczek from Poland and Wout from Belgium quickly reduced all that to a dot.

The positivity, openness and emotion that came later, when we were mesmerised by the meditation class after the meal was very moving indeed

For the first time, I felt a sense of true togetherness with my fellow pilgrims.

We all may walk alone at times, but on the Camino, you’re never alone.

Accommodation Report:

Casa Magica – Villatuerta

An oasis of calm, cool air, hammocks and fantastic paella, with great company provided by Connie, Craig, Haydee and Bill (81).

They say there’s a first time for everything. I used a shower chair for the first time in my life here, and I can’t adequately express just how grateful I was that it had been invented.

Health Report:

Blisters: 0 (1)

Trips, Slips and Falls: 0 (0)

Applications of Factor 50: 8 (30)

Filling of Water Bottles: 2 (14)

Filling of hip flask with free red wine: 1

Acceptance of path-side lemonade stall opportunities: 0 (2)

Wrong turns taken: 1 (1)

Mobile phone chargers left behind: 1

Number of times “Buen Camino” was said: About 40

Poncho deployments: 0 (2)